And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified . . . concerning this Messiah, . . . this Redeemer of the world (1 Nephi 10:5).

Great are the words of Isaiah.”*

These words of the Savior to the Nephites tell us just how important Isaiah’s prophecies are to us, too. Isaiah, a prophet who lived over seven hundred years before Jesus Christ, told how we should live our lives by having faith in Him and by obeying His commandments.†

Because the Savior had not yet come to live on the earth, Isaiah told of His birth, His ministry here, and His death and resurrection:

“For unto us a child is born, . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, counsellor, The mighty God. . . .

“[He will be] a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy . . . , a refuge from the storm. . . . “He [will be] despised and rejected of men; . . . taken from prison and from judgment: . . . for the transgression of my people [will he be] stricken. . . .
“He will swallow up death in victory.”‡
Isaiah also told about the Second Coming
of Jesus Christ:

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that
. . . the Lord’s house shall be established in the top
of the mountains, . . . and all nations shall flow unto
it. . . .

“And he shall judge among the nations, and . . . nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. . . . “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid[,] and the calf and the young lion . . .; and a little child shall lead them. . . . “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. . . . “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces. . . . “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God;. . . we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
“Now therefore, . . . saith the Lord, . . . my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak.”**
As we study the words of the prophets and do our best to live the gospel, we, too, look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. As we hear the gospel from our parents and teachers, and as we study the scriptures and listen to our living prophets, we can say with Isaiah, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that .

STRING PICTURE By Holly Dougherty

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of poster board 11” x 14” (28 cm x 35.6 cm). Draw a line 3/4” (2 cm) from the edge of the long sides on both the top and the bottom. Mark places for six holes on each line 2” (5 cm) apart so that they line up from the top to the bottom; punch the holes (see illustration).

2. Cut six pieces of string 24” (61 cm) long. Thread a piece of string through a top and a corresponding bottom hole, tie taut, and trim ends. Repeat this procedure with the remaining strings (see illustration). Pull the knots to the bottom holes.

3. Cut a piece of poster board 5 1/2” x 14” (14 cm x 35.6 cm). Tape three outside edges of this poster board over the bottom of the strings poster
board (unknotted side) to form a pocket over the strings (see illustration). Print “Isaiah Prophecies of the Savior” on the pocket.

4. Mount this page on heavy paper, and cut out the pictures. Tape the back of each picture to the corresponding numbered string so that each shows above the pocket (see illustration).

5. Lower the pictures behind the pocket by raising the string knots on the back. Pull each picture into view as you retell “Isaiah Prophesies of the Savior”

Sweet little Baby
Resting in the hay,
Do You know why shepherds come
To worship You today?
Sweet little Baby,
While Mary hummed to Thee,
Angels sang out “Gloria!”
O’er flock and field and tree.
Sweet little Baby
Peaceful in the night,

Shepherds ran here breathless
To see this wondrous sight.
Sweet little Baby
Wrapped up snug and tight,
You set them free from fear and death
By being born tonight.
Sweet little Baby
Smiling at these men,
In time, You’ll be their Shepherd
To guide them home again.

Christmas is a wonderful time of friendliness, caring, and love. It is a time when all the world rejoices. It is a time of service and the giving of gifts.

The gifts of the Savior were precious and rare. He blessed the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk. He gave light in place of darkness, forgiveness to the repentant, and hope to the despairing.

This is a season of the year when we can bring gifts of joy and happiness to others. Like the Savior, we can visit the sick, give to the poor, and cheer the lonely.

At this time of remembrance and gratitude, we testify that Jesus Christ was born into the world as our Savior and Friend. We witness that He lives.

May our Heavenly Father bless children everywhere with the peace that comes through the gift of His Son.